Abstract
Discordant Depths is a composition that explores the sonic world of humpback whales, and uses their sounds as the basis for musical material. My research process began in 2024. I conducted field recordings in the ocean waters of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Juneau, Alaska. Both of these field studies were aided by collaboration with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) experts. I was also referred to a specialist in humpback vocalizations in Southeast Alaska, who agreed to provide recordings of the humpbacks to supplement and enhance my own recordings.
My compositional process involved spectral techniques derived from the recordings of humpback whales, as well as anthropogenic sounds. The piece also acts as a commentary on humanity’s severe impact on whale populations, specifically impeding their ability to communicate. This is explored through the use of human-made sound sources as musical material, along with modulating "signals" when constructing harmonies through the use of overtone analysis and frequency and pitch modulation.